Mr Andren
asked the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, upon notice, on 12 October 1999:

(1) Is it a fact that assistance under the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) program administered jointly by the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, is available to recipients of Parenting Payment; Widow Allowance; Partner Allowance; Widow B Pension; Carer Payment and some Special Benefit recipients, but not recipients of the Disability Support Pension.

(2) If so, why are Disability Support Pension recipients excluded from accessing assistance under the JET program and what alternative assistance is available for such pensioners.

(3) Is it anomalous that a parent in receipt of the Parenting Payment or a carer in receipt of the Carer Payment can receive assistance under the JET program, but that a parent in receipt of the Disability Support Pension with a dependent child cannot access assistance under the program; if not, why not.

Mr Reith (Workplace Relations and Small Business)
—The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

Eligibility criteria for the Jobs, Education and Training program are the responsibility of the Minister for Community Services. I understand that the Minister for Community Services is in the process of answering Question 980, which broadly encompasses Question 979.